With the aim to translate the nationalistic wave post terror attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama (Kashmir) into votes, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has asked its volunteers to organise Vande Mataram rallies across the state, highlighting the supreme sacrifice of the martyred jawans of Indian para-military forces.
Volunteers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party have also been asked to join the rallies.
VHP’s senior leader Vimlesh Kumar said the Pulwama incident was an attack on the integrity of the nation.
“People are angry with Pakistan. They want to see action against the neighbouring country. They are themselves coming out of their homes and protesting against Pakistan. The VHP is only providing them support, if required, in the form of place or Indian flag,” he said.
When asked whether it was a strategy to translate nationalistic wave into votes in the coming general election, the VHP leader asked whether it was wrong to chant Vande Mataram.
“Are we living in India or Pakistan that the media is asking such questions?” he asked.
“You can see the elections through the prism of nationalism. For us, the country comes first. We always believe that a party which can keep the flag of Hindutva flying high can keep the country strong. This is not our feeling, the entire country feels so and the people unanimously say that only (Narendra) Modi can ensure this,” he said.
Kumar added, “In a recent survey conducted by different newspapers and news channels, Modi emerged as the most favoured Prime Minister. These surveys were not conducted by the VHP. The interviewers did not ask questions only to VHP volunteers. They must have posed questions to a cross-section of people and despite that, Modi was number one choice.”